PATTERSON UTI ENERGY INC (PTEN) FY 2022 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management Overview and Recent Developments in Market Conditions — We are a Houston, Texas-based oilfield services company that primarily owns and operates one of the largest fleets of land-based drilling rigs in the United States and a large fleet of pressure pumping equipment.

Our contract drilling business operates in the continental United States and internationally in Colombia and, from time to time, we pursue contract drilling opportunities in other select markets. Our pressure pumping business operates primarily in Texas and the Appalachian region. We also provide a comprehensive suite of directional drilling services in most major producing onshore oil and gas basins in the United States, and we provide services that improve the statistical accuracy of directional and horizontal wellbores. We have other operations through which we provide oilfield rental tools in select markets in the United States. We also service equipment for drilling contractors, and we provide electrical controls and automation to the energy, marine and mining industries, in North America and other select markets. In addition, we own and invest, as a non-operating working interest owner, in oil and natural gas assets that are primarily located in Texas and New Mexico.

Reduced demand for crude oil and refined products related to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in crude oil prices and demand for drilling and completion services in 2020 and early 2021. However, market fundamentals are now strong, as demand increased for drilling and completions equipment and services in 2022, and industry supply of Tier-1, super-spec rigs and premium pressure pumping equipment remains constrained. We expect our rig count in the United States will average 130 rigs in the first quarter and then grow modestly throughout the remainder of 2023. The current demand for equipment and services and strong pricing environment remain dependent on macro conditions, including commodity prices, geopolitical environment, inflationary pressures, economic conditions in the United States and elsewhere, response to the COVID-19 pandemic (including any resurgences and/or lockdowns in the United States and abroad) and continued focus by exploration and production companies and service companies on capital discipline. Oil prices averaged $82.79 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2022 and closed at $77.97 per barrel on January 30, 2023. Natural gas prices (based on the Henry Hub Spot Market Price) averaged $5.55 per MMBtu in the fourth quarter of 2022 and closed at $2.82 per MMBtu on January 30, 2023.

Quarterly average oil prices and our quarterly average number of rigs operating in the United States for 2020, 2021 and 2022 are as follows:

(1)
The average oil price represents the average monthly WTI spot price as reported by the United States Energy Information Administration.

(2)
A rig is considered to be operating if it is earning revenue pursuant to a contract on a given day.

Our average active U.S. rig count for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 131 rigs. This was an increase from our average active rig count for the third quarter of 2022 of 128 rigs. Our active U.S. rig count at December 31, 2022 of 132 rigs was more than the rig count of 111 rigs at December 31, 2021, due in large part to the recovery of oil prices and improved demand for drilling services in the United States. Term contracts help support our operating rig count. Based on contracts currently in place in the United States, we expect an average of 87 rigs operating under term contracts during the first quarter of 2023 and an average of 56 rigs operating under term contracts during 2023.

Our average active spread count was 12 in the fourth quarter of 2022, consistent with the third quarter of 2022. We calculated average active spreads as the average number of spreads that were crewed and actively marketed during the period. We expect to average approximately 12 active spreads in the first quarter of 2023. Based on our outlook for 2023 activity, we currently expect to activate a 13th spread towards the end of 2023.

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Due to improving activity levels, supply chain disruptions and increasing tightness in the overall labor market, we continue to see general oilfield cost inflation across our segments, including increases in the cost of labor, services and supplies. Supply chain disruptions and the increasing challenge of attracting and retaining employees are increasing the complexity of reactivating equipment. Pricing for our drilling and completion services increased in 2022 due in part to the limited supply of readily available, high-quality drilling and completion equipment.

Our 2023 capital expenditure forecast is approximately $550 million.

Recent Developments in Financial Matters and Merger and Acquisition Activity — On October 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Pioneer by acquiring 100% of its equity interests. Total consideration for the acquisition included the issuance of approximately 26.3 million shares of our common stock and payment of $30 million cash, which based on the closing price of our common stock of $9.44 on October 1, 2021, valued the transaction at approximately $278 million.

Pioneer provided land-based contract drilling services and production services to a diverse group of oil and gas exploration and production companies in the United States and internationally in Colombia. Through the Pioneer acquisition, we acquired Pioneer’s 100% pad-capable drilling rig fleet consisting of 17 AC-powered rigs in the United States and eight SCR rigs in Colombia and production services assets consisting of 123 well servicing rigs and 72 wireline services units. The purchase price allocation was finalized in 2022. The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On December 31, 2021, we completed the sale of the acquired well servicing rig business and wireline business to Clearwell Dynamics, LLC. The sale price was $43.0 million in cash consideration, subject to customary purchase price adjustments at closing for cash and working capital. The results of operations of these businesses were presented as a discontinued operation during the fourth quarter of 2021.

On November 9, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 3”), which amended our Credit Agreement (as defined below), among us, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, letter of credit issuer, swing line lender and lender and each of the other letter of credit issuers and lenders party thereto.

Amendment No. 3, among other things, (i) revised the capacity under the letter of credit facility to $100 million; (ii) revised the capacity under the swing line facility to the lesser of $50 million and the amount of the swing line provider’s unused commitment; (iii) changed the LIBOR reference rate to a SOFR reference rate; and (iv) extended the maturity date for $416.7 million of revolving credit commitments of certain lenders under the Credit Agreement from March 27, 2025 to March 27, 2026. As a result, of the $600 million of revolving credit commitments under the Credit Agreement, the maturity date for $416.7 million of such commitments is March 27, 2026; the maturity date for $133.3 million of such commitments is March 27, 2025; and the maturity date for the remaining $50 million of such commitments is March 27, 2024.

As of December 31, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. We had no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2022 and, as a result, had available borrowing capacity of $600 million at that date.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, we elected to repurchase portions of our 2028 Notes and 2029 Notes (as defined below) in the open market. The principal amounts retired through these transactions totaled $21.0 million of our 2028 Notes and $1.4 million of our 2029 Notes, plus accrued interest. We recorded corresponding gains on the extinguishment of these amounts totaling $2.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, net of the proportional write-off of associated deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts. These gains are included in “Interest expense, net of amount capitalized” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Our revenues, profitability and cash flows are highly dependent upon prevailing prices for oil and natural gas and upon our customers’ ability to access capital to fund their operating and capital expenditures. During periods of improved oil and natural gas prices, the capital spending budgets of oil and natural gas operators tend to expand, which generally results in increased demand for our services. Conversely, in periods when oil and natural gas prices are relatively low or when our customers have a reduced ability to access capital, the demand for our services generally weakens, and we experience downward pressure on pricing for our services. Even during periods of historically moderate or high prices for oil and natural gas, companies exploring for oil and natural gas may cancel or curtail programs or reduce their levels of capital expenditures for exploration and production for a variety of reasons, which could reduce demand for our services. We may also be impacted by delayed customer payments and payment defaults associated with customer liquidity issues and bankruptcies.

The North American oil and natural gas services industry is cyclical and at times experiences downturns in demand. During these periods, there has been substantially more oil and natural gas service equipment available than necessary to meet demand. As a result, oil and natural gas service contractors have had difficulty sustaining profit margins and, at times, have incurred losses during the

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downturn periods. We cannot predict either the future level of demand for our oil and natural gas services or future conditions in the oil and natural gas service businesses.

In addition to the dependence on oil and natural gas prices and demand for our services, we are highly impacted by operational risks, competition, labor issues, weather, the availability, from time to time, of products used in our pressure pumping business, supplier delays and various other factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report.

For the three years ended December 31, 2022, our operating revenues and net income consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

Contract Drilling

We have addressed our customers’ needs for drilling horizontal wells in shale and other unconventional resource plays by improving the capabilities of our drilling fleet. The U.S. land rig industry has in recent years referred to certain high specification rigs as “super-spec” rigs, which we consider to be at least a 1,500 horsepower, AC-powered rig that has at least a 750,000-pound hookload, a 7,500-psi circulating system, and is pad-capable. Due to evolving customer preferences, we refer to certain premium rigs as “Tier-1, super spec” rigs, which we consider as being a super-spec rig that also has a third mud pump and raised drawworks that allow for more clearance underneath the rig floor. As of December 31, 2022, our rig fleet included 172 super-spec rigs, of which 118 were Tier-1, super-spec rigs.

We maintain a backlog of commitments for contract drilling services under term contracts, which we define as contracts with a duration of six months or more. Our contract drilling backlog in the United States as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $830 million and $325 million, respectively. Approximately 32% of the total contract drilling backlog in the United States at December 31, 2022 is reasonably expected to remain after 2023. See Note 3 of Notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report and “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Our Current Backlog of Contract Drilling Revenue May Decline and May Not Ultimately Be Realized, as Fixed-Term Contracts May in Certain Instances Be Terminated Without an Early Termination Payment.”

Pressure Pumping

As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 1.2 million horsepower in our pressure pumping fleet. We provide pressure pumping services to oil and natural gas operators primarily in Texas and the Appalachian region. Substantially all of the revenue in the pressure pumping segment is from well stimulation services, such as hydraulic fracturing, for completion of new wells and remedial work on existing wells. We also provide cementing services through the pressure pumping segment.

Directional Drilling

We provide a comprehensive suite of directional drilling services in most major producing onshore oil and gas basins in the United States. Our directional drilling services include directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling and supply and rental of downhole performance motors. We also provide services that improve the statistical accuracy of directional and horizontal wellbores.

Other Operations

Our oilfield rentals business, with a fleet of premium oilfield rental tools, along with the results of our ownership, as a non-operating working interest owner, in oil and gas assets located in Texas and New Mexico, provide the largest revenue contributions to our other operations. Other operations also includes the results of our electrical controls and automation business and the results of our drilling equipment service business.

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Capital Expenditures

Cash capital expenditures for 2022 totaled $437 million. This was an increase from the $166 million of cash capital expenditures excluding discontinued operations for 2021, due largely to higher activity levels in 2022. Based on our current outlook for activity, we expect our capital expenditures for 2023 to be approximately $550 million.

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

A discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 is included in Part II, Item 7— “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2022.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

The following tables summarize results of operations by business segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

(1)
Adjusted gross margin is defined as revenues less direct operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expense). See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a reconciliation of GAAP gross margin to adjusted gross margin by segment.

(2)
A rig is considered to be operating if it is earning revenue pursuant to a contract on a given day. Average rigs operating is defined as operating days divided by the number of days in the period.

(3)
Average adjusted gross margin per operating day is defined as adjusted gross margin divided by operating days.

Generally, the revenues in our contract drilling segment are most impacted by two primary factors: our average number of rigs operating and our average revenue per operating day. Our average revenue per operating day is largely dependent on the pricing terms of our rig contracts. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in operating days and improved pricing. Average revenue per operating day increased primarily due to improved pricing.

Direct operating costs increased due to an increase in operating days, increased reactivation costs and inflationary cost pressure on labor and supplies. Average direct operating costs per operating day increased primarily due to a lower portion of our rigs being on standby, increased reactivation costs and inflationary cost pressure beginning in the second half of 2021. Rigs on standby have very little associated cost.

Depreciation, amortization and impairment expense decreased primarily due to a $220 million impairment charge related to the abandonment of 43 legacy non-super-spec rigs and equipment in 2021. Additionally, depreciation, amortization and impairment expense decreased partially due to a lower depreciable asset base during 2022 as a result of the impairment charge taken in 2021.

The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to rig reactivations, higher maintenance capital expenditures and upgrading certain rig components.

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(1)
Adjusted gross margin is defined as revenues less direct operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expense). See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a reconciliation of GAAP gross margin to adjusted gross margin by segment.

(2)
Average active spreads is the average number of spreads that were crewed and actively marketed during the period.

(3)
Average adjusted gross margin per total job is defined as adjusted gross margin divided by total jobs. Adjusted gross margin as a percentage of revenues is defined as adjusted gross margin divided by revenues.

Generally, the revenues in our pressure pumping segment are most impacted by the number and design of fracturing jobs (including whether or not we provide proppant and other materials). Direct operating costs are also most impacted by these same factors. Our average revenue per fracturing job is largely dependent on the pricing terms of our pressure pumping contracts and the design of the jobs.

Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of higher revenue fracturing jobs, improved pricing and continued improvement in asset utilization and efficiency. Direct operating costs increased primarily due to an increase in the number of higher cost fracturing jobs as well as inflationary cost pressure on labor and supplies.

Our average revenue per total job increased primarily as a result of a shift in the mix of total jobs toward higher revenue fracturing jobs. Average revenue per fracturing job increased primarily due to improved pricing. Average direct operating costs per total job increased primarily as a result of a shift toward higher cost fracturing jobs as well as inflationary cost pressure on labor and supplies.

Depreciation, amortization and impairment expense decreased due to a lower depreciable asset base in 2022 partially as a result of a $32.2 million impairment charge taken in 2021. This impairment charge was related to the abandonment of approximately 0.2 million horsepower within our pressure pumping fleet. Additionally, a portion of the decrease related to certain equipment that reached the end of its useful life during 2022. This decrease in 2022 outpaced incremental depreciation resulting from equipment additions in 2020 and 2021, when our capital expenditures were significantly lower.

The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to costs associated with reactivating stacked equipment as well as upgrades and the increase in maintenance capital expenditures associated with a higher average number of active spreads.

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(1)
Adjusted gross margin is defined as revenues less direct operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment expense). See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a reconciliation of GAAP gross margin to adjusted gross margin by segment.

Revenue increased primarily due to increased job activity and improved pricing. We averaged 44.6 jobs per day in 2022 as compared to 30.1 jobs per day in 2021.

Direct operating costs were higher by $77.5 million, or 76.3%, primarily due to increased job activity and cost inflation.

Depreciation, amortization and impairment expense decreased due to a lower depreciable asset base in 2022 as a result of the abandonment of an $11.4 million developed technology intangible asset and $2.5 million of directional drilling equipment in 2021.

Capital expenditures increased due to higher levels of activity requiring premium equipment to meet market demands.

(1)
Adjusted gross margin is defined as revenues less direct operating costs (excluding depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment expense). See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for a reconciliation of GAAP gross margin to adjusted gross margin by segment.

Revenue increased from 2021 primarily due to a $17.7 million increase in our oilfield rentals business revenues due to higher service volumes and improved pricing as well as a $13.5 million increase in our oil and natural gas revenues resulting from favorable crude oil market prices and increased production. Average WTI-Cushing prices in 2022 were $94.90 per barrel as compared to $68.14 per barrel in 2021.

Direct operating costs increased due to incremental production costs from our oil and natural gas assets as well as a higher service volume provided by our oilfield rentals business and cost inflation.

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment increased primarily due to a $4.5 million impairment in our oil and natural gas business in 2022.

The increase in capital expenditures was primarily related to incremental spending in our oilfield rentals and oil and natural gas businesses.

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Selling, general and administrative expense increased primarily due to increased personnel costs as a result of higher headcount, wage growth and changes in stock-based compensation.

Merger and integration expenses were recognized in 2021 related to the Pioneer acquisition, which closed on October 1, 2021, and the subsequent divestiture of Pioneer’s well servicing rig business and wireline business, which closed on December 31, 2021.

Other operating (income) expenses, net includes net gains associated with the disposal of assets. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been excluded from the results of specific segments. The $12.1 million gain on asset disposals in 2022 was primarily due to the release of an $11.5 million cumulative translation adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income (loss) in our consolidated statements of operations upon substantially completing our exit from our Canadian operations. The majority of the net gain on asset disposals in 2021 reflect gains on disposals of buildings, land and drilling equipment.

The $3.0 million change in other expense was primarily due to foreign currency adjustments related to our Colombian operations.

Interest expense was favorably impacted by a gain on debt extinguishment of $2.5 million associated with the repurchase of portions of our 2028 Notes and 2029 Notes in 2022. Excluding the effects of the gain, interest expense would have increased by $0.7 million, a 1.8% increase. Additionally, on December 30, 2021, we repaid the final $50 million of borrowings under the 2019 Term Loan Agreement, and as a result had no remaining borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2021. Accordingly, we did not incur interest expense related to the Term Loan Agreement in 2022.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate decreased by approximately 0.8% to 7.9% for 2022 compared to 8.7% for 2021. Our effective income tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, changes in pre-tax income in countries with varying statutory tax rates, changes in valuation allowances, and the impacts of various other permanent adjustments.

The ability to recognize a portion of our U.S. federal and state net operating losses resulted in a significant impact, through changes in valuation allowances, in our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022. This benefit was partly offset by state and local income taxes and various other permanent adjustments.

We continue to monitor income tax developments in the United States and other countries where we have legal entities. We will incorporate into our future financial statements the impacts, if any, of future regulations and additional authoritative guidance when finalized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, availability under our revolving credit facility and cash provided by operating activities. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $278 million in working capital, including $138 million of cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $600 million available under our revolving credit facility.

We have an amended and restated credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), which is a committed senior unsecured revolving credit facility that permits aggregate borrowings of up to $600 million, including a letter of credit facility that, at any time outstanding, is limited to $100 million and a swing line facility that, at any time outstanding, is limited to, the lesser of $50 million and the amount of the swing line provider’s unused commitment. As of December 31, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility, and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement and, as a result, had available borrowing capacity of approximately $600 million at that date. Of the revolving credit commitments, $50 million expires on March 27, 2024, $133.3 million expires on March 27, 2025, and the remaining $416.7 million expires on March 27, 2026. Subject to customary conditions, we may request that the lenders’ aggregate commitments be increased by up to $300 million, not to exceed total commitments of $900 million. Additionally, we have the option, subject to certain conditions, to exercise one one-year extension of the maturity date.

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest by reference, at our election, to the SOFR rate or base rate, as described in “Item 7A” below. If our credit rating is below investment grade at both Moody’s and S&P, we will become subject to a restricted payment covenant. The Credit Agreement also contains a financial covenant that requires our total debt to capitalization ratio, expressed as a percentage, not exceed 50%.

We also have a Reimbursement Agreement (the “Reimbursement Agreement”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia (“Scotiabank”), pursuant to which we may from time to time request that Scotiabank issue an unspecified amount of letters of credit. Under the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement, we will reimburse Scotiabank on demand for any amounts that Scotiabank has disbursed under any

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letters of credit. Fees, charges and other reasonable expenses for the issuance of letters of credit are payable by us at the time of issuance at such rates and amounts as are in accordance with Scotiabank’s prevailing practice. We are obligated to pay to Scotiabank interest on all amounts not paid by us on the date of demand or when otherwise due at the LIBOR rate plus 2.25% per annum. A letter of credit fee is payable by us equal to 1.50% times the amount of outstanding letters of credit.

We had $65.0 million letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2022 under the Reimbursement Agreement. We maintain letters of credit primarily for the benefit of various insurance companies as collateral for retrospective premiums and retained losses which could become payable under terms of the underlying insurance contracts. These letters of credit expire annually at various times during the year and are typically renewed. As of December 31, 2022, no amounts had been drawn under the letters of credit.

Our outstanding debt at December 31, 2022 consisted of $489 million of 3.95% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and $348 million of 5.15% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). We were in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2022.

For a full description of the Credit Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement, the 2028 Notes and the 2029 Notes, see Note 9 of Notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report.

Cash Requirements

We believe our current liquidity, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, should provide us with sufficient ability to fund our current plans to maintain and make improvements to our existing equipment, service our debt and pay cash dividends for at least the next 12 months.

If we pursue opportunities for growth that require capital, we believe we would be able to satisfy these needs through a combination of working capital, cash flows from operating activities, borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility or additional debt or equity financing. However, there can be no assurance that such capital will be available on reasonable terms, if at all.

A portion of our capital expenditures can be adjusted and managed by us to match market demand and activity levels. Based on our current outlook for activity, we expect our capital expenditures for 2023 to be approximately $550 million. The majority of these expenditures are expected to be used for normal, recurring items necessary to support our business.

We anticipate $28.5 million of expenditures in 2023 related to various contractual obligations such as certain purchase commitments and operating lease liabilities.

As of December 31, 2022, we had working capital of $278 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $138 million, compared to working capital of $148 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $118 million, at December 31, 2021.

During 2022, our sources of cash flow included:

•
$566 million from operating activities, and

•
$26.1 million in proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment.

During 2022, our uses of cash flow included:

•
$439 million to make capital expenditures for the betterment and refurbishment of drilling and pressure pumping equipment and, to a much lesser extent, equipment for our other businesses, to acquire and procure equipment to support our contract drilling, pressure pumping, directional drilling, oilfield rentals and manufacturing operations, and to fund investments in oil and natural gas properties on a non-operating working interest basis,

•
$70.1 million for repurchases of our common stock,

•
$43.1 million to pay dividends on our common stock,

•
$18.6 million for repurchases of our 2028 Notes, and

•
$1.2 million for repurchases of our 2029 Notes.

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We paid cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2022 as follows:

On February 8, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.08 per share to be paid on March 16, 2023 to holders of record as of March 2, 2023. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments, if any, are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, financial condition, terms of our debt agreements and other factors. Our Board of Directors may, without advance notice, reduce or suspend our dividend in order to improve our financial flexibility and position our company for long-term success. There can be no assurance that we will pay a dividend in the future.

We may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt for cash through open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, redemptions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

In September 2013, our Board of Directors approved a stock buyback program. In October 2022, our Board of Directors approved an increase of the authorization under the stock buyback program to allow for an aggregate of $300 million of future share repurchases. All purchases executed to date have been through open market transactions. Purchases under the program are made at management’s discretion, at prevailing prices, subject to market conditions and other factors. Purchases may be made at any time without prior notice. There is no expiration date associated with the buyback program. As of December 31, 2022, we had remaining authorization to purchase approximately $243 million of our outstanding common stock under the stock buyback program. Shares of stock purchased under the buyback program are held as treasury shares.

We acquired shares of stock from employees during 2022, 2021 and 2020 that are accounted for as treasury stock. Certain of these shares were acquired to satisfy the exercise price and employees’ tax withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options. The remainder of these shares were acquired to satisfy payroll withholding obligations upon the settlement of performance unit awards and the vesting of restricted stock units. These shares were acquired at fair market value. These acquisitions were made pursuant to the terms of the Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2014 Plan”) and the Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), and not pursuant to the stock buyback program. Upon the issuance of shares for the Pioneer acquisition in October 2021, we withheld shares with respect to Pioneer employees’ tax withholding obligations.

Treasury stock acquisitions during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

As of December 31, 2022, we had unrecognized compensation costs of $26.0 million and $11.1 million related to our unvested restricted stock units and our unvested Performance Units, respectively. The weighted-average remaining vesting periods for these awards were 1.40 years and 1.20 years, respectively as of December 31, 2022. See Note 12 of Notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional discussion regarding our stock-based compensation.

Commitments — As of December 31, 2022, we had commitments to purchase major equipment totaling approximately $130 million for our drilling, pressure pumping, directional drilling and oilfield rentals businesses.

Our pressure pumping business has entered into agreements to purchase minimum quantities of proppants and chemicals from certain vendors. As of December 31, 2022, the remaining minimum obligation under these agreements was approximately $25.6 million, of which approximately $22.6 million and $3.0 million relate to the remainder of 2023 and 2024, respectively.

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See Note 10 of Notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on our current commitments and contingencies as of December 31, 2022.

Operating lease liabilities totaled $24.7 million at December 31, 2022. See Note 13 of Notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on our operating leases as of December 31, 2022.

Trading and Investing — We have not engaged in trading activities that include high-risk securities, such as derivatives and non-exchange traded contracts. We invest cash primarily in highly liquid, short-term investments such as overnight deposits and money market accounts.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates. Accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those considered to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements because they involve significant judgments and uncertainties. We believe the following critical accounting estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements address all important areas where the nature of the estimates or assumptions is material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change. For additional information on our accounting policies, see Note 1 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Allowance for credit losses — We utilize an accounts receivable aging schedule and historical credit loss information to estimate expected credit losses. We evaluate our accounts receivable periodically through review of historical collection experience, current aging status of the customer accounts, financial condition of our customers, and the overall economic environment of the oil and gas industry. Any customers that have experienced a deterioration in credit quality are removed from the pool and evaluated individually. This process involves judgment and estimation. Accordingly, our results of operations can be affected by adjustments to the allowance due to actual write-offs that differ from estimated amounts. In applying our methodology of estimating credit losses, we determined that there were no material changes to our credit loss rates. See Note 4 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Depreciation and amortization — Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. No provision for salvage value is considered in determining depreciation of our property and equipment. We calculate depreciation and amortization on our assets based on the estimated useful lives that we believe are reasonable. The estimated useful lives are subject to key assumptions such as maintenance, utilization and job variation. These estimates may change due to a number of factors such as changes in operating conditions or advances in technology. The method of depreciation does not change whenever equipment becomes idle. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Renewals and betterments which extend the life or improve existing property and equipment are capitalized. See Note 1 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions — Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. The difference between the purchase price amount and the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill on the balance sheet if the purchase price exceeds the estimated net fair value or as a bargain purchase gain on the income statement if the purchase price is less than the estimated net fair value. We apply significant judgment in estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to market day rates, direct operating costs, rig utilization percentages, expectations regarding the amount of future capital and operating costs, and discount rates. Changes in these judgments or estimates can have a material impact on the valuation of the respective assets and liabilities acquired and our results of operations in periods after acquisition, such as through depreciation and amortization expense. The allocation of the purchase price may be modified up to one year after the acquisition date as more information is obtained about the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. See Note 2 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Impairment of long-lived assets — We review our long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of certain assets may not be recovered over their estimated remaining useful lives (“triggering events”). In connection with this review, assets are grouped at the lowest level at which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other asset groupings. We estimate future cash flows over the life of the respective assets or asset groupings in our assessment of impairment. These estimates of cash flows are based on historical cyclical trends in the industry as well as our expectations regarding the continuation of these trends in the future. If the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable based on its estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition, an impairment loss is recognized in

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an amount by which its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. The inputs used to determine such fair value are primarily based upon internally developed cash flow models. Our cash flow models are based on a number of estimates regarding future operations that may be subject to significant variability, are sensitive to changes in market conditions, and are reasonably likely to change in the future. We determined no triggering events occurred in 2022. See Note 6 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Accruals for self-insured levels of insurance coverage — We maintain insurance coverage for fire, windstorm and other risks of physical loss to our equipment and certain other assets, employers’ liability, automobile liability, commercial general liability, workers’ compensation and insurance for other specific risks. We also self-insure a number of other risks, including loss of earnings and business interruption and most cybersecurity risks, and do not carry a significant amount of insurance to cover risks of underground reservoir damage. Our insurance accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported and are developed by our management with assistance from our third-party actuary and third-party claims administrator. The insurance accruals are influenced by our past claims experience factors, which have a limited history, and by published industry development factors. If we experience insurance claims or costs above or below our historically evaluated levels, our estimates could be materially affected. The frequency and number of claims or incidents could vary significantly over time, which could materially affect our self-insurance liabilities. Additionally, the actual costs to settle the self-insurance liabilities could materially differ from the original estimates and cause us to incur additional costs in future periods associated with prior year claims.

Income taxes — We are subject to income taxes in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. We compute our provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period, the deferred tax assets will be reduced by a valuation allowance. We believe the valuation allowance is a critical accounting estimate because it is susceptible to change from period to period, requires assumptions about our future income over the lives of the deferred tax assets, and because the impact of increasing or decreasing the valuation allowance is potentially material to our results of operations.

We continue to monitor income tax developments in the United States and other countries where we have legal entities. We recognize tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that such positions will be sustained on examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits. We adjust our liabilities for uncertain tax positions when our judgment changes as a result of new information previously unavailable. We routinely monitor the potential impact of these situations. As of December 31, 2022, we have no unrecognized tax benefits.

Volatility of Oil and Natural Gas Prices and its Impact on Operations and Financial Condition

Our revenue, profitability and cash flows are highly dependent upon prevailing prices for oil and natural gas and expectations about future prices. Reduced demand for crude oil and refined products related to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in crude oil prices and demand for drilling and completion services in 2020 and early 2021. However, market fundamentals are now strong, as demand increased for drilling and completions equipment and services in 2022, and industry supply of Tier-1, super-spec rigs and premium pressure pumping equipment remains constrained. We expect our rig count in the United States will average 130 rigs in the first quarter and then grow modestly throughout the remainder of 2023. The current demand for equipment and services and strong pricing environment remain dependent on macro conditions, including commodity prices, geopolitical environment, inflationary pressures, economic conditions in the United States and elsewhere, response to the COVID-19 pandemic (including any resurgences and/or lockdowns in the United States and abroad) and continued focus by exploration and production companies and service companies on capital discipline. Oil prices averaged $82.79 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2022. Natural gas prices (based on the Henry Hub Spot Market Price) averaged $5.55 per MMBtu in the fourth quarter of 2022.

In light of these and other factors, we expect oil and natural gas prices to continue to be volatile and to affect our financial condition, operations and ability to access sources of capital. Higher oil and natural gas prices do not necessarily result in increased activity because demand for our services is generally driven by our customers’ expectations of future oil and natural gas prices, as well as our customers’ ability to access sources of capital to fund their operating and capital expenditures. A decline in demand for oil and natural gas, prolonged low oil or natural gas prices, expectations of decreases in oil and natural gas prices or a reduction in the ability of our customers to access capital would likely result in reduced capital expenditures by our customers and decreased demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and cash flows. Even during periods of historically moderate or high prices for oil and natural gas, companies exploring for oil and natural gas may cancel or curtail programs

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or reduce their levels of capital expenditures for exploration and production for a variety of reasons, which could reduce demand for our services.

Impact of Inflation

Due to improving activity levels and increasing tightness in the overall labor market, we have seen general oilfield cost inflation across our segments during 2022, including increases in the cost of labor, services and supplies. This inflation, combined with the increasing challenge of attracting and retaining employees, is increasing the complexity of reactivating equipment. In response to this challenge, combined with the increasing market tightness for our drilling and completion services, we increased the pricing for our drilling and completion services in 2022.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 of Notes to consolidated financial statements included as a part of Item 8 of this Report.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) from continuing operations plus income tax expense (benefit), net interest expense, and depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment expense (including impairment of goodwill). We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental disclosure because we believe it provides to both management and investors additional information with respect to the performance of our fundamental business activities and a comparison of the results of our operations from period to period and against our peers without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) from continuing operations in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to the GAAP measure of net income (loss) from continuing operations. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as similarly titled measures of other companies. Set forth below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) from continuing operations.

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Adjusted Gross Margin

We define “Adjusted gross margin” as revenues less direct operating costs (excluding depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment expense). Adjusted gross margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a useful indicator of our operating performance.